Nigerian star Tobi Amusan is, as expected, happy with her nomination for the World Athletics Women’s World Athlete of the Year award for 2022.
The 25-year-old is one of 10 nominees for the prestigious award following her remarkable achievements this year.
In 2022, Amusan became the first Nigerian in history to set a world record in athletics and win a World Athletics Championships outdoor title.
She achieved both in July at the global event in Oregon, United States of America, setting a new 12.12 seconds world record in the 100m hurdles in the semi-finals and winning the gold medal just three hours later on a glorious night.
”Through the grace of God, I have achieved so many ‘firsts’ by a Nigerian and this is yet another one,” Amusan wrote on Facebook after World Athletics announced the nominations yesterday.
“I’m so honoured to be selected as a World Athlete of the Year nominee and the first Nigerian ever to reach this height.
”I have twice been named Nigerian Athlete of the Year by Athletic Heat platform but this is my first international nomination and I want us to win it!”
Amusan also made history in August at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham when she became the first Nigerian to successfully defend her track and field title.
She also retained her Diamond League trophy in September after becoming the first Nigerian to win it in 2021.
The former University of Texas in El Paso athlete is up for the award with the likes of legendary sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica and American Sydney McLaughlin, who broke the 400m hurdles world record twice this year and claimed the world title.
The other nominees include world shot put champion Chase Ealey from USA, world and Diamond League 200m champion Shericka Jackson from Jamaica, world and Diamond League 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon from Kenya, and world 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo from Bahamas.
The winner of the award will be determined by votes from World Athletics Council members and athletics fans on social media platforms: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Voting will close at midnight on October 31 and World Athletics explained that at the conclusion of the voting process, five finalists will be announced.
The winners will be revealed on World Athletics’ social media platforms in early December.
